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Arrive in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang. Your guide and driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. You’ll have the rest of the day to relax.
Stay in Urumqi
After breakfast, start your Silk Road adventure at the Xinjiang Regional Museum. Here, you’ll discover fascinating exhibits featuring ancient artifacts and mummies that reveal the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Next, visit the vibrant International Grand Bazaar(国际大巴扎), where you can soak up the lively atmosphere and shop for local handicrafts like carpets, jade, and spices. Be sure to try some traditional Xinjiang dishes, such as lamb skewers or pilaf.
B, L, D, Stay in Urumqi
Today, head to Heavenly Lake(天池) in the Tianshan Mountains for a scenic escape. This stunning alpine lake offers breathtaking views ideal for photography. You can enjoy a boat ride on the crystal-clear waters or hike to higher viewpoints for panoramic views of the mountains and valleys.
Afterward, return to Urumqi for a relaxing late afternoon.
B, L, D, Stay in Urumqi
Take a bullet train to Turpan(about 1 hour), an ancient oasis city that sits below sea level, making it one of the hottest places in China.
Your first stop is the Jiaohe Ancient City(交河故城), a fascinating archaeological site. The city was once a thriving center on the Silk Road. As you explore, you’ll discover remnants of ancient homes, temples, and city walls.
Next, visit the Karez Irrigation System(坎儿井), an ingenious network of underground channels that brings water from the mountains to the desert. Learn about how this system enabled the region to flourish despite the arid conditions.
Finish the day with a visit to the Emin Minaret(苏公塔), the tallest brick minaret in China, offering panoramic views of Turpan and its surrounding desert.
B, L, D, Stay in Turpan
Explore the dramatic Flame Mountain(火焰山), a stunning range of red sandstone peaks that have been a natural landmark for centuries. This area is famous for its extreme heat, and the landscape is often described as resembling flames when the sun hits the rocks.
Afterward, head to the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves(柏孜克里克千佛洞), a series of ancient Buddhist grottoes carved into the cliffs. Inside, you’ll see beautifully preserved murals and sculptures, showcasing the cultural exchange along the Silk Road.
Finally, end the day at local markets, where you can purchase traditional crafts and enjoy a cultural performance featuring the region’s unique music and dance.
B, L, D, Stay in Turpan
Take bullet train(about 3.5 hours) and then transfer a car(about 1.5 hours ) to Dunhuang, an iconic Silk Road city famous for its ancient Buddhist sites.
The first stop is the Mogao Caves(莫高窟), an incredible collection of caves carved into the cliffs, housing an unparalleled collection of Buddhist art. These caves were created over a thousand years ago by traveling monks and merchants, and they offer a glimpse into the spiritual and cultural exchanges along the Silk Road.
In the afternoon, visit the Dunhuang Museum(敦煌博物馆) to learn more about the region’s history and its role in the cultural fusion between East and West.
B, L, D, Stay in Dunhuang
Experience the natural beauty of Mingsha Shan (鸣沙山), where the sand makes a unique sound when blown by the wind. You can ride camels across the dunes, just like ancient Silk Road traders. This journey takes you to Crescent Moon Lake(月牙泉) , a serene oasis in the desert. Relax by the water, surrounded by vast sand dunes.
In the afternoon, visit the Dunhuang Night Market to explore the street food scene and shop for local handicrafts like embroidered textiles and pottery.
B, L, D, Stay in Dunhuang
Leave Dunhuang and take a tourist bus to Jiayuguan(about 4 hours), you can expect the vast Gobi Desert and the magnificent snow-capped peaks of the Qilian Mountains.
Visit Jiayuguan Fort(嘉峪关城楼), the westernmost stronghold of the Ming Dynasty’s Great Wall, which guarded the desert entrance. Then, walk along the Overhanging Great Wall(悬壁长城), where the wall dramatically hangs above the cliffs, offering breathtaking views of the desert below.
You’ll also explore the First Strategic Pass of the Great Wall, one of the most important military sites along the wall’s western reaches.
B, L, D, Stay in Jiayuguan
Today’s journey takes you to Zhangye by train(about 2 hours), a city known for its otherworldly landscapes. Your first stop is the Zhangye Danxia Landform(张掖丹霞地貌), a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its colorful and vibrant rock formations.
Afterward, visit the Giant Buddha Temple(大佛寺), home to a massive reclining Buddha that is over 34 meters long. Take time to admire the intricate details of the statue and explore the peaceful temple grounds.
B, L, D, Stay in Zhangye
On the final day of your journey, head to Lanzhou by bullet train(about 3 hours). Explore the Gansu Provincial Museum, which showcases the region’s rich Silk Road history. The museum’s exhibits offer a fascinating look at the cultural exchanges between China, Central Asia, and beyond. Before concluding your tour, enjoy a traditional meal of Lanzhou’s famous hand-pulled noodles.
B, L, Lanzhou Departure
Absolutely! The International Grand Bazaar is one of the largest bazaars in the world, offering a rich array of goods. You can shop for beautiful handwoven carpets, local spices, jade, and traditional handicrafts.
Heavenly Lake offers both easy and more challenging hiking options. If you’re looking for a relaxed experience, you can take a boat ride on the crystal-clear waters and enjoy the stunning alpine scenery. For more adventurous travelers, there are several trails that lead to higher viewpoints for breathtaking panoramic vistas of the surrounding Tianshan Mountains.
Yes! Riding a camel across the Singing Sand Dunes is one of the highlights of the trip. This ancient form of transportation once used by Silk Road traders allows you to experience the vastness of the desert and appreciate the unique sound the sand makes when blown by the wind.
Be amazed by the ancient Tarim Basin mummies, nearly 4,000 years old, and fascinating exhibits on the region's diverse ethnic groups. The museum features unique artifacts like intricate textiles and ancient relics, showcasing how Eastern and Western cultures have intertwined over centuries.
Lanzhou - Hezuo - Diebu County - Tangke County - Aba County - Hezuo - Lanzhou
Lanzhou - Zhangye - Dunhuang - Golmud - Chaka - Xining - Lanzhou
Lanzhou - Xining - Dunhuang - Jiayuguan - Jiuquan - Zhangye - Wuwei - Lanzhou
Urumqi - Korla - Kuqa - Aral - Hotan - Shache - Kashgar - Taxkorgan - Kashgar
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Silk road adventure
Lucas Meyer –
Every stop was unforgettable, and I learned so much about China’s cultural heritage along the way.
Incredible experience!
Matteo Rossi –
I’ve always wanted to explore the Silk Road, and this tour delivered everything I hoped for and more. From the moment we arrived in Urumqi, the adventure began! The final stop in Lanzhou gave me a great understanding of the Silk Road’s cultural legacy, and I got to try the famous Lanzhou noodles—delicious! Overall, it was an unforgettable trip.
Landscapes and rich history
Emma –
My favorite part was definitely the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang—what a breathtaking experience! I highly recommend this tour for anyone looking to explore China’s deep cultural roots.